About us

Are you new to meditation or Zen Buddhist practice? Have you read books about Zen, or been doing meditation on your own? Do you think you’d like to study with a teacher? Designed for those new to Zen or formal Zen training, this introductory retreat allows you to immerse yourself in Zen practice and experience the Monastery’s Eight Gates program.

During the weekend, you’ll receive instruction in zazen (seated meditation) and have a chance to experience and ask questions about liturgy, work as sacred activity, art and body practice, the moral teachings and compassion, and Buddhist study. You’ll learn how to establish a consistent home practice and receive guidance on bringing it into your work, family, and relationships. And you’ll have the opportunity for private interview with a teacher to explore the importance of the teacher-student relationship for the spiritual path.

This retreat also gives you a chance to encounter the Monastery cloister—a dynamic spiritual community whose everyday activities and concerns are simplified. By entering the cloister for a weekend, you experience a place uniquely conducive to spiritual practice and to connecting to your own innate silence and stillness.

The program fee for this retreat includes a copy of John Daido Loori’s book The Eight Gates of Zen.

This retreat is a prerequisite for attending a sesshin or becoming a formal MRO student.

Please don’t let financial issues prevent you from attending a program at the Monastery. If you can’t afford the program fee, there are options.

Venue Highlights

Welcome to Zen Mountain Monastery. Before you register for a retreat, please take a thorough look at our website so that you familiarize yourself with what it's like to do a retreat with us.

About the
Venue and Teacher

Zen Mountain Monastery (ZMM), the main house of the Mountains and Rivers Order (MRO), is one of the West’s most respected Zen Buddhist monasteries and training centers.Nestled in New York’s beautiful Catskill Mountains, the Monastery draws its strength from the ancient tradition of Buddhist monasticism. Since 1980, ZMM has offered spiritual practitioners traditional and innovative ways to engage the dharma through a wide range of retreats and residential programs that unfold within the context of authentic, full-time Zen monastic training.

$250.00 - Program Price

Thank you!

Why Retreat?

We asked people why they go on retreat, here's what they said:

To learn more to add to my classes
Shannon

Retreat Guru's Vision

We believe human beings are innately wise, strong and kind. This wisdom, although not always experienced, is always present. Going on retreat is a beautiful way to reconnect to our basic sanity and health. Our aspiration at Retreat Guru is to inspire people to experience authentic retreats and reconnect with their innate wisdom, strength and kindness.